Shon
06-23-2004, 11:45 AM
La Mesa Mayor Encourages Pit Bull Ban
LA MESA, Calif. -- The city of La Mesa may soon have a ban on pit bulls.
After listening to details of numerous vicious pit bull attacks on dog and people, the mayor of La Mesa, Art Madrid, said he is determined to take action.
Many residents consider the dogs to be viscous and aggressive but others feel that a ban on the breed is too extreme.
Three weeks ago, Akilah Bryant was walking her 11-year-old Jack Russell terrier down a La Mesa street when a pit bull jumped out a car window and killed her dog.
"I think those dogs shouldn't be allowed. It was a vicious attack. It could have been me. No one should have them as pets," Bryant said.
Another dog in La Mesa was attacked by three pit bulls. It survived, but the owner was left with more than $6,000 in medical bills.
Madrid said, "If we have incident after incident occur, we're part of the problem."
Madrid is asking the La Mesa City Council to take action against pit bulls and irresponsible owners. The council could decide to completely ban pit bulls from La Mesa.
"That's absolutely extreme, but very viable, if appropriate," said one La Mesa resident.
The City Council could also elect to enforce restrictions similar to those in place in Cincinnati that require owners to register their pit bull with the police department and take out $50,000 worth of liability insurance.
According to Rob Wolk, a dog trainer from Pacific Coast K-9, pit bulls were originally bred for fighting. He said that owners can harness the pit bull's drive to fight through training and socialization.
Cara, a dog owner, said, "It all comes down to being a responsible dog owner. It doesn't matter what type of dog it is."
Another dog owner, Stuart Morse, said, "You should probably ban some owners instead of the dogs, honestly."
The La Mesa City Council will discuss various options Tuesday night. The mayor said he would like to have a policy against pit bulls in place as soon as possible.
LA MESA, Calif. -- The city of La Mesa may soon have a ban on pit bulls.
After listening to details of numerous vicious pit bull attacks on dog and people, the mayor of La Mesa, Art Madrid, said he is determined to take action.
Many residents consider the dogs to be viscous and aggressive but others feel that a ban on the breed is too extreme.
Three weeks ago, Akilah Bryant was walking her 11-year-old Jack Russell terrier down a La Mesa street when a pit bull jumped out a car window and killed her dog.
"I think those dogs shouldn't be allowed. It was a vicious attack. It could have been me. No one should have them as pets," Bryant said.
Another dog in La Mesa was attacked by three pit bulls. It survived, but the owner was left with more than $6,000 in medical bills.
Madrid said, "If we have incident after incident occur, we're part of the problem."
Madrid is asking the La Mesa City Council to take action against pit bulls and irresponsible owners. The council could decide to completely ban pit bulls from La Mesa.
"That's absolutely extreme, but very viable, if appropriate," said one La Mesa resident.
The City Council could also elect to enforce restrictions similar to those in place in Cincinnati that require owners to register their pit bull with the police department and take out $50,000 worth of liability insurance.
According to Rob Wolk, a dog trainer from Pacific Coast K-9, pit bulls were originally bred for fighting. He said that owners can harness the pit bull's drive to fight through training and socialization.
Cara, a dog owner, said, "It all comes down to being a responsible dog owner. It doesn't matter what type of dog it is."
Another dog owner, Stuart Morse, said, "You should probably ban some owners instead of the dogs, honestly."
The La Mesa City Council will discuss various options Tuesday night. The mayor said he would like to have a policy against pit bulls in place as soon as possible.